Pete Rock said:
PB, unfortunately a lot of average fans will only determine player development based on the last prospect developed. BJ isn't exactly the poster boy for goaltending prospects.
Point taken, sir... maybe if Bacashihua comes through (and he's having what looks like a breakout season in Peoria this year), the (
excuse the mental picture you're about to get) poor taste of BJ will finally be washed out of people's mouths...
Pete Rock said:
I for one was amazed with Schwarz's abilities at the WJC's and thought he was the best there, but there are some (even some whose opinions I respect highly) that wouldn't trade two pieces of used TP for him because of his time with Vancouver in the Dub.
I've never failed to be amazed at how quickly some people can write off an 18- or 19-year-old kid as a top prospect on the basis of a single sub-par season.
I've also never failed to be amazed at how some prospects, because of the hype they've gotten previously, or because of the organization they belong to, will get a free pass after a sub-par season, while others -- like Schwarz -- will get dissed mercilessly for it.
Pete Rock said:
BTW, I still think the Blues should've grabbed Green, but Schwarz is A-OK USA!
I could have lived with Mike Green, but I'm glad the Blues have been quietly developing such a fine stable of goalie prospects. As a supporter of a team that has repeatedly been charged (
and, probably, rightly so) with failure to develop goaltenders, it's very gratifying to see guys like Schwarz, Barulin, Bacashihua and Ben Bishop all playing so well.
P_B